Man in hot water for failing to deliver job

A St Andrew man who obtained money by false pretence, through his scheme as a job recruiter, was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Nicalus Bryce is charged with two counts of obtaining money by means of false pretence, but did not enter a plea when he was brought before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague.

The allegations are that Bryce posted on social media that he would be hosting a job fair in the Corporate Area and persons indicated their interest.

For one complainant, she told Bryce she was seeking a job as a waitress and he told her she should pay a registration fee of $9,000 and was later given a receipt.

On March 17, the complainant said she was instructed to pay $11,500 for a COVID test, which she did and was also given a receipt by Bryce. On another occasion, on April 16, the complainant visited the agency's office at Molynes Road and handed over her documents, and was told to pay $40,000 to secure a work permit for her. She was given a receipt and was told her application would be processed.

However, when she started experiencing problems with getting a work permit, she asked Bryce for a refund. The matter was reported to the police after he failed to pay over the money.

His lawyer indicated to Cole-Montague that her client is willing to repay the complainants. Bryce is expected to return to court on July 26 when his case is mentioned.